Cold War Conversations

How the Cold War almost destroyed European Football (370)

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Episode notes

In the late 1960s European club football competitions were thriving However unexpected events in 1968 threatened its survival.

I delve into the fascinating world of European football during the Cold War era with Craig McCracken, a self-described peddler and purveyor of quasi obscure retro football nostalgia via the 'Beyond The Last Man' blog.

We explore the political tensions that influenced European football in the 1960s, and the dramatic events of 1968 when the Prague Spring was crushed by Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces.

Discover how these geopolitical events impacted clubs like Celtic, the Milan clubs, and Real Madrid, and the unprecedented decisions UEFA had to make. This episode is a gripping tale of football, politics, and the power struggles that shaped the beautiful game.

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode370

Craig's excellent blog https://beyondthelastman.com/

All our Cold War Sport episodes in one convenient playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2OoAtLN7sHYdCgCNhms1Kl?si=da05732a422a41f8

 

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